Chairman and Commander meet at Exeter City match with Rotherham

HMS Defender came inland as Exeter City played host to the Ship’s Commander and football team when the club took on Rotherham at St James’ Park.

The ship is the world’s most modern and prestigious fighting ship and has been adopted by the City of Exeter.

The Grecians have also been suitably honoured for their work in the community and standing in the city by being given affiliate status by HMS Defender, a source of great pride within the club.

Recently the club’s Chairman, Edward Chorlton, was given a guided tour of the ship and presented the ship’s football team with a complement of Exeter City shirts.

As a result, wherever they travel in the world, the ships team play local sides wearing Exeter City’s official shirts as a badge of the affiliation between ship and club.

During the recent visit, the group was given a tour of the stadium and mementoes were exchanged on the pitch at half-time between the club’s chairman and Commander Phil Nash of HMS Defender, and members of the ship’s team were presented to a very appreciative crowd.

Commander Nash said, “It is a great privilege to be here on matchday in our affiliated city’s home of football. The Royal Navy places great emphasis on teamwork and training to ensure that warships can be operated successfully in war and peacetime – I see those same skills being displayed here on the pitch and so it is great to be able to enjoy this occasion today. I have been following the team ever since I took command of HMS Defender – at last we have finally made it to St James’ Park!”

Definitely a case of Exeter signing a new defender and being sure not to ship any more goals!